Syrian Astronomical Society: Hijri Calendar a Precise Astronomical System and Global Reference in Space Science and Navigation

Dr. Mohammad Al-Asiri, President of the Syrian Astronomical Society, affirmed that the Hijri calendar, which has entered its new year 1447, is considered the most accurate globally, thanks to being a self-correcting astronomical system unaffected by human interference.

He explained that this feature has made it an accredited reference even in the complex space navigation calculations carried out by international space agencies.

Al-Asiri pointed out in a statement to SANA that the adoption of the Hijri calendar based on the moon's orbit around the Earth gives it a unique feature, automatic correction; if the crescent is not sighted one night, it will appear clearly the next night.

Thanks to this accuracy, the lunar calendar has become an indispensable tool in calculating the movements of celestial bodies and planning space trips, due to its connection to a celestial body close to Earth.

Historically, Al-Asiri noted that the use of the Hijri calendar officially began during the era of Caliph Omar ibn Al-Khattab, may Allah be pleased with him, who dated Islamic events by the migration of the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, to the first of Muharram in the year 1 AH, the sixteenth of July 622 CE.

He added that the lunar year consists of 12 months with an average of 354 days, with leap years comprising 355 days, indicating that the annual difference between the solar and lunar calendars is about 11 days.

Al-Asiri highlighted that reliance on the Hijri calendar confirms the close connection between Islam and science, explaining the global interest in it. Even Western countries base their astronomical calculations when determining Islamic holidays as official holidays, demonstrating its reliability in scientific and practical fields.